lantz



Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- may;

INVENTOR h2g0 Laniz ATTORNEY PATENT OFFICE.

HUGO LANTZ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BRAKE MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

Application filed December 4, 1919. Serial No. 342,432.

To all whom it may. concern:

Be it known that I, Hnoo Lan'rz, a citizen ofSweden, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, in the county, city, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brake Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to means for checking or arresting a moving body, and it appertains more especially to braking mechanism employed in connection with a driving-wheel, as that of an automobile or similar vehicle. Such mechanism, it is well known, usually comprises a band surrounding a drum on the wheel, and a lever or system of levers whereby the band can be tightened upon or released from the drum.

One of the objects of the invention is to produce an improved appliance of the class mentioned involving a minimum amount of adjustment of its constituent parts, and so contrived as to confine to a single place the work of adjustment.

Another object is the production of an appliance of the type set forth wherein the movement of the lever in setting the brake is limited to the greatest possible extent, and the travel of the band in embracing the drum is lessened in like proportion.

A further object is to provide an appliance of the character described in which the brake band, considered as an entirety, shall move only in one direction at any one time, that is, whether it be applied to or released from the drum, and the rotation of the latter shall assist in setting the brake.

Still another object is the provision of an appliance of the nature referred to, so constructed that whenever the brake band is pulled away from the drum to release the same, no part thereof will follow the drum or its direction of motion.

A still further object is so to fit the band and the operating connections therefor as to cause all parts of the band to be pulled evenly against the drum upon the application thereof to the latter through the agency of the said connections.

An additional object is to equip the band with supplementary instrumentalities whereby both the setting and the release thereof will be facilitated, while a proper check is afforded against excessive movement in the direction of release.

A general object is to devise the brake in such a manner as to render it applicable to any make of car with but slight alteration or addit on of parts, although it comprises only a limited number of elements, and the same are of strong and durable construction, compact in their aggregate, and susceptible of low cost of production.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specificatlon proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists of the novel combinations and arrangements .of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the said drawings,-

Figure I is a side view of this improved brake, with the operating mechanism set to tighten the band around the drum;

Fig. II is a fragmentary view, looking at the brake edgewise, in the direction pointed out by the arrow marked a,

Fig. III is also an edge view, showing the drum with the brake therearound in section, looking at these parts in the directionof the arrow 6 in Fig. I;

Fig. IV is a view similar to Fig. I, but showing the brake released;

Fig. V is a fragmentary edge view, the parts therein shown being as in Fig. IV, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow marked 0, i

Fig. VI is a view similar to Fig. V, but

showing the parts as seen in the direction pointed out by the arrow d in Fig. IV; and Fig. VII is likewise an edge view, taken in the direction of the arrow denoted c in the same Fig. IV.

Briefly outlined, the invention comprises an annular band of the split ring type designed to surround a drum on the inner side of a wheel, and adapted for frictional engagement therewith. Adjacent to the drum are fixed arms, extended outwardly in opposite directions, in the customary manner, which constitute anchorages for the operating connections. The latter include a lever flexibly jointed to one of the said arms and to both ends of the band, and further comprise accessories similarly joining the other arm with the middle portion of the band. The lever is of the bell-crank order, and while it pries upon the adjacent fixed arm it is made to bear squarely upon the thereto jointed end of the band, which it stays firmly in place against the drums periphery. In the meantime the band is being pulled throughout its entire length, in a single direction, by a median portion of the lever drawing upon the other end of the band, opposite that on which the lever exerts its pressure. A power transmitting connection at the outer extremity of the lever gives it ample purchase, due to the distance thereof from the normal fulcrum. The accessories include a link exerting a toggle action at the middle of the brake band and materially assisting in setting the same; a resilient element acting in conjunction with the said link and tending to free the band from the drumjand means cooperating with the toggle and serving to limit the movement of the band effected by the said element.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in the one and same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, upon becoming conversant with the details thereof, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplili cation of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and to the reference characters thereon, the letter A represents a brake drum of wellknown design, which is mounted in fixed relation to a wheel B. The latter may be arranged to revolve loose relatively to a dead axle C, carrying stationary arms DD projected therefrom outwardly in opposite directions. As shown, a terminal sleeve E extends out from the hub of the wheel, which rotates together with a live axle F.

- Surrounding the drum A is a brake band 11, made in the form of a flat, open ring, with the ends thereof, 11* and 11 respectively, spaced apart. This annular or quasiannular band is provided on its inner face with a lining 12, co-extcnsive therewith.

An operating member 15, which may be in the nature of a bellcrank lever, is pivoted at one end to a bolt or stud 16, entered into the arm D This is the upper one of the pairof stationary arms pertaining to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings hereto annexed.

Located at different distances from the pivot 16, and in planes radiating out in angular relation to one another, are pins 17, 18, and 19, affording as many points of attachment to the said lever. Of these, the pin 17 is the nearest to the said pivot, and is disposed on a line radial thereto which is substantially perpendicular to the diametral plane of the pair of arms DD The pin 19 is farthest away from the pivot and is situated on a similar radial line deviating to a greater or less extent perpendicularly from the line extending between this pivot and the said pin 17. As to the pin 18, it is located on a line radial to the pivot 16, intermediately of the pins 17 and 19. It is preferably placed at a distance from the pivot about one-half that existing between the latter and the outermost pin. The spacing of the pivot 16 and pin 18 may be about three times, more or less, that of the pivot and the nearest pin 17.

The extremities of the said pin 17 are made to engage the opposite halves of a double-cared piece 22, suitably fastened to the end 11 of the brake-band. 'The working movement of this piece and the thereto connected end of the band is practically straight against or away from the circumferential face of the drum A. Consequently, the end 1. of the band 11 has no movement in the direction of the drums periphery, as it revolves with the wheel B. There is not, therefore, the same tendency for the brake mechanism of the present invention to become loose, through the action of the drum thereon, as exists in other constructions.

The pin 18 passes through a bifurcated connection 24?, from the center of which extends a rod 25, the outer end whereof is threaded, as at 26, and passed through a sleeve or barrel 27, having a flange 28, secured to the end ll of the band 11. A couple of nuts, indicated by the numeral 29, supply the means wherewith the distance between the said bifurcated connection and the barrel 27 may be regulated according to a predetermined adjustment. The conjoined nuts 29 constitute the single medium required for adjusting the band in a longitudinal direction and compensating for the wear of its lining 12.

interposed between the connection 24 and the proximate end of the barrel 27 is a coilspring 30, which is placed constantly under compression, so that the very moment the operating member 15 is moved contra-clockwise, to wit, in left-hand direction relatively to the position of the parts as viewed in Fig. I, this spring will raise the barrel, and the end 11" of the band connected therewith, from the periphery of the drum A, and the entire band will be lifted clear off the same, owing to the simultaneous rise of the double lug 22 and the barrel 27. On the other hand, when the lever 15 is moved to the right, that is, clockwise, the double lug on the end 11 of the band is forced squarely against the drums peripheral surface, with the result that the said end 11 is stayed there, and as the barrel 27 also is drawn right-handedly, it follows that the band itself can move then only in one direction, and

in the same way as the drum A, whenever it is applied to the latter.

The means for imparting motion to the lever 15 is shown, in the present exemplification of the invention, as consisting of a rod 33, one end whereof, designated by 34, takes around the pin 19, between ears 35, with which the outer portion of the lever is formed. It is understood that, in practice, the rod 33 is connected up with the usual hand or foot lever mounted on the frame or body of the vehicle equipped with the brake. It will be noted that the lever 15 has a fixed point where it fulcrums and that all pivotal connections thereto appertaining are moved in one and the same direction.

Substantially diametrically opposite the pivot 16, on the lower arm D, extends out a bolt or stud 38, upon which is hinged one end of an intermediate connecting element that may be in the nature of a link, the other end whereof is flexibly coupled to a doubleeared piece 40, by a pin 41. The piece 40 is preferably anchored to the band 11 approximately opposite the similar piece 22, pertaining to the end 11 of the band. WVhen the lever 15 is drawn from the position depicted in Fig. IV, for example, when the band 11 is open or released, the link 39 is swung from a collapsed state, as shown in the latter-named figure, into the position represented in Fig. I. The link then exerts a toggle action upon the band and forces it hard against the drum.

In order to prevent the end 11 of the band from moving too far down and bearing upon the drum while in an open condition, a stop 42, in the form of a toe, is provided at one side of the link 39, being made preferably integral therewith. This stop is arranged to come into contact with the middle portion of the band and keep it from sagging down too deeply, as will be perceived by referring to Fig. IV, which shows the link 39 forced out of its straight radial position in Fig. I, and inclined with relation to the center of the drum. WVhen the link is thus inclined, a binding effect is obtained upon the band by the toe 42 due to the position it then occupies relatively to the pivots 38 and 41.

For the purpose of assisting the said link 39 in moving past the dead center or central position, that is, in order to get it started in its oscillating movement toward its collapsed position, a resilient element 45 is provided and applied preferably as illustrated in Figs. I and IV. As there shown, this resilient element consists of a spring, which may be of extension type and is put under tension when the brake is applied. The spring 45 is attached at one end to the band 11, and at the opposite extremity to the stationary bolt 38. The means of attachment may include, for example, an eye 46, receiving the upper end of the spring and secured to the exterior face of the band a short distance above the fixed arm D; also a similar eye 47, engaging the lower end of the said spring and screwed into the outer end of the bolt 38. Upon release of the brake the spring 45 recoils and by pulling upon the band displaces the link 39 in such manner as to overcome its toggle action.

Although the spring 45 has been shown as located to one side of the band 11, it is obvious that it may occupy any other appropriate place chosen therefor, with equal advantage and effectiveness.

lVhile a certain preferred embodiment of this device has been shown and described, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim, IS I- 1. The combination with a rotatable drum and a brake band around the same, of an operating member for said band adapted to press one end thereof into a fixed position against said drum, and a connection between said member and the other end of the band serving to draw the latter in a single direction coinciding with the forward rotation of the drum when applying the brake.

2. The combination with a rotatable drum and a brake band therearound, of an oscillatable member having a stationary fulcrum adjacent to said drum and arranged to hold one end of said band fixedly thereagainst, and means for connecting the other end of the band with said member farther away from said fulcrum so as to obtain a progressively increasing pull upon the entire band in the direction of the drums forward rotation.

3. The combination with a rotatable drum, a band brake therefor and a fixed support adjacent to the same, of an operating lever fulcrumed in offset relation to said support and arranged to bear in the direction of its length upon one end of said band so as to hold it fixedly against the drums circumference, and means connecting said lever with the other end of the band whereby the latter can be drawn circularly against said drum.

4. The combination with a rotatable drum, a band brake therearound, of an operating member for the latter having a fixed fulcrum adjacent to said drum, one end of said member being connected to said band near one extremity thereof in close proximity to said fulcrum, the other extremity of the band being coupled to the member intermediately of the same, and means for applying power to the outer portion of the member, the points of attachment of the bands extremities to the member being on one side of a line passing through its fulcrum and said outer portion.

5. The combination with a rotatable drum and a band brake therefor, of a stationary the fulcrum thereof with one end of the lxind so as to press the latter fixedly against said drum, the force being applied to the outermost connection, while the other end of the band is drawn around the drum by the intermediate connection.

(3. The combination with a rotatable drum and an open brake band therearound, of an operating lever having a fixed fulcrum adjacent to said drum, a connection for the inner end of said lever acting to stay one extremity of the band fixedly against the drum, another connection coupling the other extremity of the band to the lever farther away from said first connection than its fulcrum so as to draw the entire band in one direction around the drum, and means applied at a single point to said second connection to adjust the interval between the open extremities of the band.

7, The combination with a rotatable drum, a brake band therearound and means for tightening the latter about the former, of a relatively stationary support adjacent to said drum, and an element with a purchaseon said support acting to carry one end of said band inwardly against the drum during the operation of said means.

8. The combination with a rotatable drum, a brake band therefor and means for tightening said band around said drum, of a fixed support near the latter, and an element of greater length than the distance be tween said support and the drum adapted upon the operation of said means to urge the band against the drum from the support.

9. The combination with a rotatable drum, a brake band around the same and means for operating said band, of a support fixed relatively to said drum, and an element pivotally connected endwise to said support and to a portion of the band, the arrangement being such that said element forces said portion of the band against the drum when said means are operated in one direction while in the opposite direction the element guides the band away'from the drum.

10. The combination with a rotatable drum, a brake band therearound and operating means for-the latter, of a relatively fixed support adjacent to said drum, an element hingedly connected to said support and to a portion of said band in a manner to exert a toggle action thereon upon the tightening of the band and to guide said portion off the drum when the band is released, and mea is for limiting the travel of said element after the bancs release.

11. The combination with a rotatable drum, a brake band therearound and operating means for the latter, of a stationary support ne r said drum, a link intermediate of said support and a portion of said band aranged to act as a toggle therebetween when the brake is applied, said link serving to carry the band toward or away from the drum according to the operation of said means, and a stop on said link adapted to abut against the band so as to limit its openmovement when the brake is released.

12. The combination with a rotatable drum, a brake band therearound and operating means for said band, of a fixed support adjacent to said drum, ,alink acting as a toggle connection between said support and a portion of the band to carry the latter against or away from said drum, and a resilient element anchored at one end to another part of the band and to the support, said element being tensioned when the brake is applied and tending to collapse the toggle and assist the opening of the band upon the release of the brake.

The combination with a rotatable drum, a brake band therearound, of an operating member for said band having a stationary fulcrum adjacent to said drum, and an element fixedly hinged substantially opposite said fulcrum in position to carry the band to or away from the drum according to the operation of said member.

14. In combination, a rotatable drum, a brake band around the drum, means for operating the latter, and a link disposed circumferentially intermediate of the ends of the bane and adapted when the latter is moved to braking position to carry the adjacent portion of the band into engagement with the drum.

In combination, a drum, a band movable circumferentially of the drum, a support, a link pivoted at one end to said support and connected at its opposite end to said band and the length of said link being such that when the connection of the link with the band is brought into alinement with the pivotalconnection of the link and the center of the drum, the band will be brought into engagement with the circumference of the drum.

16. In combination, a drum, a band movable circumferentially of said drum, means operable upon movement of said band in one direction for forcing a portion of the band into engagement with the drum, means for moving the band, and means operable automatically upon release of said moving means for moving the band back to initial position.

17. In combination, a drum, a band for said drum, a support, a link pivoted at one end upon said support, a pivotal connection between the other end of said link and said band, the length of the link being such that when the pivotal connection of the same with the band is brought into a line straight through the pivotal support of the link and the center of the drum,the band will be forced into engagement with the latter, and a spring tending normally to move said band opposite to the direction of movement of the band by the first mentioned band moving means.

18. The combination with a rotatable drum and a band brake therefor, of an operating lever pivoted adjacent the drum, a rod connecting one portion of said band with said lever at a point radially beyond the pivot of the lever, and a connection between said lever and another portion of said band, said connection being located at a less distance from the center of the drum than the pivot of said lever.

19. The combination with a rotatable drum and a band brake therefor, of an operating member, connections between said member and said band whereby the latter will be forced against the drum when the member is moved in one direction, and means operable upon movement of the band toward the drum for exerting pressure upon a por tion of the band in the direction of the drum.

20. The combination with a rotatable drum and a band brake therefor, of means for moving the band circumferentially of the drum, and means operable upon movement of the band in one direction for forcing a portion of the band into contact with the circumference of the drum.

HUGO LANTZ. 

